Thursday, 19 March 2015

20 March 2015

Collects

Prayers
developed from the daily readings

Friday 20
March 2015

Morning
Prayer

Psalm 48

This psalm praises Mt Zion City of God its walls and
grandeur. Moreover, it is the place where God can be found and kings
approaching fall and fail once they recognise God dwells here. In the temple
the people ponder God’s steadfast love and praise God’s name throughout the
earth. The psalmist tells us to come to the holy city, walk around; go into the
citadels so that we can tell our children and their children that this God, our
God will be our guide forever.

Exodus 4: 27 – 6: 1

Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and ask for the Hebrews
to be allowed three days off to worship God. This is denied and instead Pharaoh
increases the workload of the Hebrews – they have to source the straw as well
as make the bricks and still keep their production at the same level.

The oppression is great and the supervisors complain
to Pharaoh who calls them lazy. They complain to Moses who asks God. God
reasserts that the Hebrews will be freed and Pharaoh’s behaviour means that
God’s hand will be revealed.

Luke 19: 11 – 27

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, some hope to be
crowned King, but he is not. He tells part of the parable to help them
understand he will instead go away and return some time in the future, as the
King and judgement will come to those who reject God. The second part of the
parable is for those who are faithful, to get on with building the Kingdom and
doing the work. Doing it cautiously is fine. Doing nothing is not acceptable.

Collect for
Morning Prayer

CorellasStephen's Creek Reservoir, near Broken Hill NSW2015 L Osburn

O God of the amazing and astounding, you work with us as
co-creators of freedom and your kingdom. You know and have shown us that there
is and will be opposition. Help us visualise your kingdom and put ourselves in
it so that we are motivated to invest in that future now and bring our children
and grandchildren and those we care about into the great project with through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Amen.

Friday 20
March 2015

Evening
Prayer

Psalm 49

This is a riddle psalm / song.

Bow down everyone everywhere. Why should we worry
about persecutors or the wealthy? No one can live forever. The wise and foolish
die too. All possessions are left to others. Mortals can’t abide all the pomp
of life – we will die. Those who are pleased with their lot will die. But God
will ransom my soul and receive me.

Don’t be afraid when someone becomes richer and they
are happy in their life. They and they ancestors will be gone. Mortals can’t
abide all the pomp of life – we will die.

Jeremiah 38: 14 – 28

Zedekiah has a private conversation with Jeremiah at
the temple. He promises not to kill Jeremiah and wants to know the prophecy.
Zedekiah tells Jeremiah his fears.Jeremiah is clear and reassures Zedekiah that if he surrenders to the
Chaldeans he will live. If not, he will die, the women and children will be led
out to the invading army and Jerusalem will burn. Zedekiah knows Jeremiah will
be questioned about the conversation so they set up a cover story. Jeremiah is
questioned. The cover story is plausible so he is safe.

Hebrews 13: 7 – 17

The writer encourages the people to focus of Christ as
the teacher and guide for their lives. He saws not to worry about dietary laws
since we are fed by grace. We are to know that Christ was the sacrifice and to
not get caught up in rituals but to give thanks and praise, do good to others
and share what we have.

Collect for
Evening Prayer

The ruin of St Stephens Church of EnglandSilverton NSW 2015 L Osburn

Holy and almighty Lord, who came to us and died as a
sacrifice for our sin, sit with us now in a time of quiet reflection. Help us
come “outside the tent” and take our eyes off riches, power, form and ritual
and focus on being obedient to you, so that we may in all times, circumstances
and places care for our neighbours and give you thanks, praise and honour through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.